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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements After Whipple Surgery?

My 66 year old husband who is coming up on 5 years cancer free from stage 4 pancreatic cancer/whipple surgery is having constant bowel movements, some very loose, all very light in color and stay floating on top of the water in the bowl. Going on for 3 plus weeks, every time he eats and in between as well. No back pain. Could this be pancreatitis? Or something more serious based on his cancer history?
Sat, 22 Jun 2019
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi,

Noted the history about your 66 year old husband who is cancer free for 5 years after Whipple surgery for cancer of pancreas, but now developed constant bowel movements for the last 3 weeks every time
he eats and in between too.
Since he was asymptomatic for the past 5 years in spite of know stage 4 cancer and successful surgery the development of new symptoms is 3 weeks old only, I would think of the following causes:
Intestinal infection can cause such problems.
Any other inflammatory condition affecting the intestines.
Development of diabetes or such a problem.
Hence I would advise him the following;
Consult your Doctor for clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate investigations:
Tests of stool for 3 days.
Tests of blood for CBC, diabetes, liver and pancreatic functions, thyroid and kidney functions.
CT scan of abdomen.
All these will help to find the probable causes and thus help a specific treatment.
If there is an intestinal infection a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection can cure hi,
Also needed is to take probiotics.
Watch for the foods and beverages that increase the problems and stop these altogether.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon
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What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements After Whipple Surgery?

Hi, Noted the history about your 66 year old husband who is cancer free for 5 years after Whipple surgery for cancer of pancreas, but now developed constant bowel movements for the last 3 weeks every time he eats and in between too. Since he was asymptomatic for the past 5 years in spite of know stage 4 cancer and successful surgery the development of new symptoms is 3 weeks old only, I would think of the following causes: Intestinal infection can cause such problems. Any other inflammatory condition affecting the intestines. Development of diabetes or such a problem. Hence I would advise him the following; Consult your Doctor for clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate investigations: Tests of stool for 3 days. Tests of blood for CBC, diabetes, liver and pancreatic functions, thyroid and kidney functions. CT scan of abdomen. All these will help to find the probable causes and thus help a specific treatment. If there is an intestinal infection a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection can cure hi, Also needed is to take probiotics. Watch for the foods and beverages that increase the problems and stop these altogether. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon